CRYING OVER TROUBLED ENVIRONMENT
by Rico Martinez Monte on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 4:54pm
Heading Northern and Southern part of Cebu! That's what I did for this week.
Heading North for an annual clean up at Mt. Manunggal Barangay Magsaysay,Balamban Cebu and heading South for the Youth Leaders-Advocate Camp 2011 at Don Bosco Retreat House, Mantalongon Dalaguete Cebu with a theme "LEAD THE G.R.E.E.N CHANGE AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE". It was held last April 1,2 and 3, 2011 and made possible through the Youth for Environmental Sustainability Network (YESN), Bayanihan Foundation Incorporation, Visayas Mindanao People's Resource Development Center (VMPRDC) and in cooperation with the Sining Dilaab Cultural Group.
"The Youth are the Hope of the Future" could you still recall who uttered that phrase? Probably what you're thinking is what I'm thingking also-his Dr. JOSE RIZAL our national hero. A phrase that each one of us (youth) must personify. The camp strived to equip the youth from different walks of life an up-to-date understanding in the crusade for social and climate equity. To rekindle our culture ofHOPE, as we emanate ourselves in economic crisis and promotes camaraderie in the quest for environmental devastation.
State should empower the YOUTH
Though our world is filled with people who are capable of doing different things. Even amidst the differences, WE (youth) still try to make this world a better place. If we just see clearly in looking around, we can see that it's just like a KALEIDOSCOPE- we are the beads and pebble that when we look down with it, one cannot see it's elegance unless one puts it upward into the light.
WHY THE YOUTH? ?
Every time I heard the word "youth" first thing that draws near into my mind is the famous quote of Mahatma Gandhi that says "BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD" which is true because even if the older generation rules the world, it is us the younger who spins it. We are much eager to learn and believes that we can make a difference may it be a bigger or a smaller one, BUT the important is- we know our responsibility, despite of all the challenges that our environment are facing today, there remain the youth and other advocates who are actively participating in the nationwide struggle for a better environment.
The youths who took part for this year's camp comes from different universities, youth sectors and other civic organizations. Among those are: CEBU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY-UNIVERSITY, CEBU NORMAL UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF CEBU LAPU-LAPU MANDAUE, CEBU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS and from MANTALONGON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL OF DALAGUETE CEBU.
-TOPICS THAT WAS DISCUSSED
First day of the camp we were bombarded by various issues conferred by different environmental experts. Topics that was discussed are as follows:
"Present Global Crisis: Implications on the People's Lives and Environment" it was conveyed by MR. PETE PINLAC, President MKP. He talked about the sense of mechanism of things that are distorted which lead us to a major problem. May I ask you? Have you ever asked yourself the importance of natural resources? Some would answer YES and some probably don't mind as long as they provide their personal gratifications. Well, just to enlighten those people who don't mind, NATURE is the very means of humanity's survival- OUR SURVIVAL! We are very much blessed of the intellect given by our creator, the sole distinction of being rational in making decisions to understand nature and other creatures. We are here to protect and conserve life from it. Unfortunately, as man's intellect continuously develops the more products that destroys mother EARTH also develops. For that, many environmental advocates nowadays may it be a youth, professionals and etc. are struggling for a relentless pursue for Environment Friendly Society.
Mr. Pete Pinlac
It was followed by a topic "COAL: A Clear and Present Danger to Health, Environment and Climate" delivered by ATTY. GLORIA ESTENZO RAMOS.
Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos
Have you ever read Article II, Section 16 of the Philippine Constitution? Probably, we were able to read and learn it in the academe as mandated by CHED. It says "The state shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balance and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature". The law is precised. Isn't it? But, it is just an illusion for us to have that law possible these days. Let us all commemorate that we are bounded by laws.
Impartiality should reside
No one is above the law! Would you believe in that? Yes it is true. But how come? Most people who are in the positions are the one who contravenes the law. Infact, it is the supreme law of the land.
Have you ever asked yourself if we had a landfill of Coal ashes here in Cebu which was manned by big time people? There is, but not to mention. It is their desire to harness natural resources, to amass profit and meet immediate financial requirement achieving their own personal satisfaction-not the citizenry's. They even don't mind how these dirtiest GREEN HOUSE GAS puts the citizenry's health and environment into danger.
COAL POWER PLANT
climate change
MOTHER EARTH
My hometown-Ormoc city tragedy last November 5, 1991 where typhoon "URING" ravaged, turned it into a wasteland and killed 8,000+ residents, September 26,2009-when Ondoy strucked NCR by surprise, an 8.9 magnitude of Earthquake and Tsunami that hits Japan.
tragedy
Those are some indications that the balance of nature has been upset. As irreversible loss of flora and fauna-cycle of floods and droughts has triggered. Mother Earth is failing. When she cries-the water ascends. When she sob-the land shakes. Who should be condemned for that? It should be-US. It was made by the very children whom she NOURISHED, CLOTHED and PROTECTED. Let us all be awake, it is not a nightmare BUT it is a reality.
-SOARING THE GIFT OF NATURE
The moment we stepped out of the bus, we are warmly welcomed with a Baguio resembling ambiance, inhaled a FRESH AIR with the natures enticing edifice, friendly and accommodating caretakers of the retreat house. The surroundings can actually wipe-out the city's discomfort and pollutions. A short hike through the MAG-ALAMBAK forest allows us to discover some of the trees as the beaming rays of the sun spread to every inch of its impressive trunks, different species of uncommon plants and a variety of herbs and shrubs.
Beaming rays
shrubs
On our way to MAG-ALAMBAK FOREST
As we go along we were captivated by the casual ecological sceneries that are symbiosis with each other. We even passed through a free flowing water from the top that thought to be a splendid healer of a stressed souls. Despite of the environmental problems we've facing right now, still, we can discover a place that promises a sure piece of EDEN that we must safeguard.
Splendid beauty
From there, my group (The Earth Trail Blazers-GREEN TEAM) was able to compose a four (4) stanza Visayan poem that talks about the splendid beauty of nature. Just click the link:
-THE NIGHT OF ANTICIPATION
The night of anticipation has taken everyone by storm after being cascaded with different workshops and lectures, who would have the leisure of time to get acquainted with other campers to what we called the SOLIDARITY NIGHT.
A breath of air, gleaming and flashing lights greeted us-campers, facilitators and our guest- Mrs. Evelyn Castillo who traveled from Tacloban Leyte to Dalaguete Cebu just to witnessed the camp and delivered her inspirational speech to the campers (youth). After, a good cheers and laughter's was shown by each team as we affirmed our group yells. The crowd grew most eager when the Sinining Dilaab presenters started the beat with various instruments as they depict the present circumstances of our country.
Mrs. Evelyn Castillo,Representative Bayanihan Corporation
REFLECTIONS
What would the world look like fifteen years from now? If, environment devastation continues? Maybe, everyone else's future will be obscured and darkened with our uncertainty. But! if our disposition toward this problem is what matter most and continue to believe in what we can do, work for what we believe in. For sure, it will be a better place to live in.
There needs to be an intersection between the government and the youth or private citizens. Our government should hone the youth, develop programs that safeguards our environment. Programs that works not in a blue print only. A clean country starts with a clean environment. To solve our environmental problems, everyone needs to be involved. LET'S MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
For more photos just click the Link below:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=100000025519471&aid=56606
